Just because everyone says it is, that does not make it so.

Pic Credit: Tenor.com Glitch in the Matrix Cat

I consider myself to have a curious mind that enjoys the adventure of learning new things and even more seeing the same thing in a different light, so that everything connected to it then takes on a new form.

Today I was reminded once again, no matter our age, to question everything and always scratch beyond the surface of any notion or idea that passes the lips of another, especially when that idea is held by a community of people holding that same belief or understanding.

My transition into the world of teaching and academia has been such an opening of my mind and my soul in ways that I could not have imagined. I have met and chatted with bright and vibrant minds that are exploring and challenging the world around us. While it still remains very much an alien world to me, I am thoroughly enjoying peeling back the layers and meeting people who are both inspirational and adding new ideas and concepts out into the world and also into our collective unconsciousness.

While I’m still growing and adapting to this world that ignites my soul and my mind, I was reminded today to not get swept away by all those alluring ideas of others and to maintain my natural urge to question and also discover for myself.

This new world has gifted me many new words in my vocabulary, one of which I hear most often is pedagogy. Explained to me as the science of learning, providing insight and methods to assist with my teaching techniques. I didn’t think to question the concept or wholeheartedly believe it must be so until this afternoon. Over an informal lunch with a new friend, he mentioned the Greek origins of the world and that its true meaning is in fact the teaching of children. With this news, my mind immediately connected to the word "paediatrics" and I knew he was speaking a truth that I could not even consider. Whilst it might not seem such a big deal and the essence of meaning remains the same, knowing that pedagogy has been freely spoken so often but never have I heard the word andragogy, the science of teaching adults, mentioned it got me thinking.

When I asked several much more experienced teachers why we don't use the term andragogy in higher education, no one could explain or justify it to me. And while I might eventually find a reason that makes sense of it all.

A small glitch in the matrix and my mind is pulled back into reality and reminded that just because enough people say it with the best intentions, that doesn’t mean they are correct or that it’s true to its original meaning. While it’s not a life-changing discovery, it is an affirmation that after more than 40 years on this planet, the world around us is not as it seems, and we must always remember to pull back the veil to see the roots of truth.

Bianca Cartin